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Jay Cochrane presented a suitcase with more than $10,000 for two Niagara children's charities during a city council meeting Tuesday evening.

The tightrope walker - who just wrapped up his summer of skywalks between the top of the Skylon Tower and Hilton Hotel - has raised more than $43 million for charities around the world during his long career.

After each performance this summer, which saw him walk 396 metres on a five-centimetre-wide wire between the two tallest buildings in Niagara Falls, the 68-year-old Sudbury native signed autographs for fans and raised money for the Tender Wishes Foundation and Boys and Girls Club of Niagara.

"He's really an angel of a man," Boys and Girls Club board member Flory Massi said after he and a Tender Wishes representative received a suitcase of money from Cochrane.

"That's the Jay Cochrane we know - putting up a wire for a little boy who wants to be the next Jay Cochrane ... buying a new bike for a boy."

Cochrane has always maintained during his 50 years on the wire, 40 years walking between buildings, that he does it for the children.

"He's a consummate professional, but when he's around kids, he's like a happy grandfather," said Tender Wishes treasurer Al Luciano. "He loves kids, he really does."

Luciano said Cochrane has donated about $170,000 to Tender Wishes during the past 10 years, which has "paid for a lot of wishes."

Cochrane also presented council with the costume and shoes he wore during his walks this summer, as well as the wire he performed on. Cochrane walked 48 times between the two buildings, reaching 19 kilometres. Several performances had to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

The clothing and equipment will be put on display at the new Niagara Falls Historical Museum.

Coun. Wayne Thomson called Cochrane a "very unique individual."

"We were delighted to have him in the city all summer long," said Thomson, who has known Cochrane for about 15 years. "Hopefully he will come back again."

For now, Cochrane is off to China, where he’s scheduled for a night-time show that will see him walk blindfolded 548-metres-long and 274-metres-high.

In an interview last week, Cochrane said he is considering coming back to Niagara Falls before his retirement next year.

“There are some talks. I’m really not at liberty to say much about it," said Cochrane. "Whatever it is, if I do come back, I guarantee you it will be bigger and more spectacular."